Everything About Living Free [7/8]
Title: Everything about living free
Pairing: kris/lay
Rating: PG-13
Length: 43,278 words
Summary: Yixing has an eight-step list to change his life and the first thing is to get a tattoo. What’s not on the list, however, is the hot tattoo artist that comes along. (it's so much more than that, really)
{item n. 6}
7. Change jobs to something meaningful
The venue is huge, well ventilated and illuminated. The only problem is the amount of walking space there is. The tattoo stands are so close to each other that Yixing, had to, more than once, jump over stuff (usually trashcans). People are getting all kinds of tattoos, and there are lectures and workshops going on (what’s expected of a tattoo convention) -- the perfect place for an ink enthusiast, and the best part is that this is only day one.
He’s been walking around with Baekhyun for exactly twelve minutes but he can’t find Yifan and Zitao’s stand. He has a map and directions sent in a text message, but there are just too many stands and everyone has tattooed arms.
“Of course everyone has tattooed arms,” Baekhyun barks louder than usual. It’s noisy inside, but Yixing can hear him perfectly. “We’re at a tattoo convention. What were you expecting? Doll houses and pink dresses?”
“Seriously, Baek, no need to shout. I’m right next to you.”
“I’m not shouting,” Baekhyun rolls his eyes and stares at his phone. “Fifteen minutes. Did you figure out where they are?”
“Of course not!” Yixing retorts. “And now I feel like we’re walking in circles, why don’t we just--”
“Yixing?”
A voice he knows, but is not very familiar speaks nearby, and Yixing turns around to be met with doe eyes and light-brown hair. The man smiles at him, full gums and eye wrinkles.
“Luhan?” he tests out, being rewarded with a nod. “Hello!”
“Didn’t know you were coming.” Luhan says, giving his shoulder a light tap. “Yifan talks about you nonstop but somehow he forgot to tell us you were coming.”
He squints very unsure. “Is this a bad thing?”
“Not at all,” Luhan steps closer, smile dropping just a bit. “I trust you remember the little chat we had the other time.”
There it is. Seeing Luhan had given Yixing a weird chill, kind of a danger warning or something. Now he knows why.
He swallows, moving closer to Baekhyun. “I do.”
“Then we’re good.” Luhan smiles, looking at Baekhyun. “Hi, I’m Luhan. Yifan’s friend.”
Baekhyun frowns at him. “Hi. Are you frightening my friend?”
“Me? Ha ha what for.” he taps Baekhyun’s shoulder. “If you’re looking for Yifan he’s three booths over,” and just like that, he walks away.
Yixing can’t lie, he feels a lot more relieved once Luhan is gone.
“Who’s that guy? One of the mean friends that gave you a warning?” Baekhyun inquires.
“He might have said something else, but I was too scared to memorize it. They made it clear that I shouldn’t lead Yifan on if I’m not interested.”
Baekhyun crosses his arms in one of the few times he doesn’t look playful or scornful. He just watches Yixing from behind his lashes and bids his time. “So have you thought about it? You and Yifan.”
Yixing sighs and looks around. A tattoo convention doesn’t seem like the best place to talk about feelings. “Can we get back to this later?” It takes a few minutes for Baekhyun to nod, but he does, and they start walking again.
They find Yifan and Zitao three booths over, exactly as Luhan had instructed, looking awfully busy. There is a woman next to them, white skin, tight, tiny shorts and a bikini top. A small portion of her body, especially arms and legs, is covered by colorful tattoos, a few watercolor ones that Yixing recognizes as Yifan’s art, and other stuff that must probably be Zitao’s. She’s definitely their model. Yixing can’t help but notice how pretty she is, short red hair and plump lips. Looks right out of a tattoo magazine.
Yifan has someone lying on their stomach on one of their chairs as he works a medium sized tattoo on their ribs. From where he sees it, it looks like a watercolor dragon. Zitao, on the other hand, works on someone’s shoulder. A few people stop to stare, but none lingers except for Yixing and Baekhyun.
“Gonna say hi?” Baekhyun asks, elbowing Yixing in a way he knows Yixing hates, just to annoy him.
“Not now. He’s working.”
“He might be waiting for you to show up.”
True, he might. “I’ll talk to him when he takes a break.”
The break happens about eight minutes in. The person, a young man, gets up from the chair and looks down at his hips, trying to look at the finished piece. Yifan chuckles then takes his phone out, snapping a picture. The man looks pleased; shakes his hand and pays him before having his middle wrapped in plastic and leaving. Only then Yixing approaches.
“Looking busy,” he says. Yifan turns around to the sound of his voice, eyebrows arched and mouth parted. His lips tug upwards when he catches sight of Yixing.
“Hey!” Yifan chirps, rushing closer and wrapping Yixing in a quick, kind of unexpected hug. It shouldn’t be this unexpected, they’ve hugged before, they’ve slept next to each other before, they’ve kissed before. Hugging is probably the basic. However, it makes something flutter in Yixing’s stomach. “I’m so happy you came!” he says, and Yixing can really see it in his eyes, that he’s happy.
He smiles wide and carefree. “Yeah. I’m kinda confused about the disposition of booths though, were they placed not to let us wander around?”
Yifan laughs, crossing his arms on his chest. He’s wearing a long-sleeved shirt, Yixing notices, a black one, and his hair is tied in a loose bun. “It’s a tight fit. Too many artists.” he sees Baekhyun. “Hey man. Baekhyun, right?”
The other nods, “Got a good memory.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Baekhyun snorts, “I’m not here for you, pal. I’m here for the rock’n’roll chicks. Gonna stroll,” he spins his index finger in the air and pokes Yixing in the ribs before leaving. “Call me later.”
They watch after him before settling on each other again. Yixing steps into the stand and takes a look around. Yifan’s designs -- the ones he’d shown him and others that he hadn’t -- are everywhere on display. Zitao’s are there too, Yixing assumes they’re his only because the colors and techniques doesn’t look like Yifan’s.
“So,” he starts after a few moments of silence. “How is everything so far?”
“Great,” Yifan answers. “Lots of people coming over, lots showing interest in our work, wanting contacts and stuff. So far, so good.”
Before they can fall into conversation, another customer comes in, and they keep coming, which is actually awesome for Yifan and Zitao’s business. When Zitao is finally free he takes Yixing in, shows him the sketches he’s displaying. A lot of stuff with clocks and blocks of colors, Yixing likes it. Then when something gets him busy again, Yixing calls Baekhyun and follows him to a female tattooist stand. She has a crooked tooth and a pointy nose, but her designs are mostly fit for girl’s thighs. Baekhyun wouldn’t be there for nothing, Yixing thinks.
Hours drive by and Yixing is pretty impressed with how quick it rushed. Before he notices the speakers are announcing the last minutes of open stands. They return to Yifan and Zitao’s stand with cups from a drink stand right in the middle of the venue (they got some discounts thanks to Baekhyun flirting with the cashier). Yifan doesn’t look busy when he gets there, chatting with some girl. Judging by the color of her hair and her tattooed, pale and overly exposed skin, it’s the model. He approaches them, offering one of the cups to Yifan.
“For me?” he looks surprised, but accepts the cup. When Yixing smiles and nods, Yifan beams, his eyes lingering. “Thanks.” he lightly pinches Yixing’s cheek. “Met Ginger?”
The woman turns to him, smiling tightly. “Hi,” says.
“Hi.” Yixing curtly nods giving her little attention, then turns to Yifan. “I’m hungry. Do you wanna get something to eat after you’re done here?”
“Good, let me just wrap this up,” he takes a sip of his drink and gives Yixing a questioning look.
“Iced coffee?”
“Yep. Not good?”
“No, you just…” he blinks, his eyes doing that thing where he stares for too long, lingers on Yixing’s face as if there’s something so worthy of contemplation there. “Hit the right spot.”
The second day of convention seems a lot more chaotic than the first. Looks like the world’s population decided to show up on Sunday, Yixing barely finds room to walk amongst stands, and since Baekhyun didn’t tag along it feels like he’s lost. So, he ends up hanging around at Yifan’s stand, where he sits around and watches him and Zitao work the whole day, gets food when they’re hungry and even works as an assistant when needed. Everything is good. Except for the Ginger girl who doesn’t seem to be fond of Yixing (probably because every single time she walks up to Yifan and says something, Yixing cuts in).
When the day is done, they’re all so tired no one feels like eating.
“I want a shower.” Zitao whines as he packs all his sketchbooks and tools on suitcases.
“I’d go for a bath,” says Ginger, who surprisingly stayed to help them clear the stand. “It’s a lot more relaxing,” she glances at Yifan from behind her lashes while bending over to pick a backpack. Yixing closes his fists. She’s such an annoying human being, the way she’s always arching her back so her breasts will show. And why can’t she put on a shirt already? There’s nothing to be showcased anymore, no need to walk around in a bikini.
“Hey,” Yifan nudges his side. “You look seconds away from murder.”
Yixing sighs, looking up at him. “She doesn’t bother me.”
“Oh. Ok then.” Yifan smiles in amusement, crossing his arms on his chest. “Do you want a ride home? I have Sehun’s car.”
“That would be awesome,” he whines, shoulders dropping and hands reaching to rub his face. “I’m so tired.”
The other chuckles, ruffling his hair and sliding his hand down to Yixing’s neck. “Thanks for helping out.”
An answer like ‘you’re welcome’ is the expected turn to that conversation. However, as he looks up at Yifan, his thumb soothing on the side of Yixing’s neck, he thinks there’s just one thing he would like to do. That’s when Yixing takes a few steps forward and wraps his arms around Yifan’s middle, cheek pressed against his shoulder blades. Yifan takes a deep breath before hugging back. He would love to shoot Ginger a look of triumph, but Yifan’s arms feel so warm around him that Yixing decides to settle for feeling victorious.
✦
Zitao wanted star-shaped cookies along with a cake for his birthday party. Yixing didn’t have star shaped cut-outs, so he had to go out and buy some. It was good though, he took advantage of the opportunity to get a few items he was missing. Zitao’s stars had to be glittery yellow with big Zs of golden fondant. The golden pigment was a little harder to find than the glittery yellow, much to Yixing’s surprise, but in the end, it all worked out and Zitao had fifty shining stars with big Zs.
“Isn’t it a little girly for a man?” Song Qian asks as she stores the cookies in containers. She had showed up earlier with the promise of help, but honestly, Yixing knew all she wanted was to eat the raised dome he would cut off from the cake. “And a tattooist?”
“Hey!” Yifan cries from where he gets the colorful stars sprinkles in Yixing’s cabinet. “Zitao takes pride in originality.”
Song Qian doesn’t seem fazed. “Still girly,” she forgets the cookies for a second and turns to Yifan. “Do you think he would mind if we took Soojung? She’s really craving for a party like this, with treats and stuff.”
Yixing chuckles, spreading filling between the layers of the rainbow cake Zitao asked for. The tattooist was very specific about fondant icing with a cute panda over it. “I’ve been ignoring her calls. She wanted me to bake her stuff. I can’t do it once or she’ll think I’m totally ok with doing it forever. Or at least until the baby is born.”
“I think he won’t mind. He didn’t mind you coming.” Yifan answers, pulling the sleeves of his shirt up and revealing his tattooed arms. Then, Yixing stops spreading filling. Yifan focuses on him for a while, lips tugging on the sides as he stares and his arms cross on his chest. “You’ve got cream on your cheek.”
He startles, letting go of the spatula to reach for his face. Yifan chuckles, walking up to him and wiping the cream off Yixing’s cheek. “You’re cute.”
Yixing snorts, averting his eyes because his ears tingle, and he wants to scratch them so much, but that would be a statement of embarrassment. As if Yifan can’t see how red his face surely is. “I’m cute because I got cream on my face?”
“No, you’re cute on a daily basis. The cream just adds up to it.” Yifan shrugs, putting his hands in his pants pockets.
Suddenly, Song Qian clears her throat. They both turn to spot her not far from where they stand, two star cookies on hands looking positively bored. “Can you please stop flirting? I still have to get ready for this party.”
The past weeks have been an easy routine. Somehow the word about Yixing’s baking skills spreaded around after Jinri’s son’s birthday and people kept asking him if he was taking orders. Workers he didn’t even knew worked at the Paper Company came up to him and eventually, Jongdae designed a simple menu with drawings of the cakes Yixing could offer and the frostings and fillings. Everything just spiralled out of control since then (especially because Jongdae took the liberty of titling the menu with big letters: Yixing’s Cake Business). He’s taken five orders the past two weeks -- a simple chocolate buttercream cake, a fruit cake, a coconut cake with a fondant elephant (he had to buy the elephant form), a batch of cupcakes of assorted flavors and a box with ten red velvet cupcakes. He’d been baking a lot more, along with work he almost didn’t have time to do anything else. Thankfully, his friends were great helpers; Baekhyun had been bathing Peter Parker (which explains all the scratches in his arms) and Song Qian took all his dirty laundry the week before.
Yixing’s been seriously thinking about this baking thing. He’s doing alright, and people like his cakes, he’s obviously good at this and the best part is that he loves baking. Feels like he could do it everyday and never get tired.
After Yixing and Song Qian take quick baths and change, Yifan calls Sehun (the cake ride) to pick them up. It takes him a few minutes to get to Yixing’s place, but he manages it.
“We should hurry, Zitao is freaking out about his decorations. Says it looks pointless without the cookies and cake.”
“It looks pointless because he’s mixing glitter and pandas.” Song Qian barks. Sehun squints at her and leans against his car.
“Who’s that?”
“That’s my friend, Song Qian.” Yixing explains. “Song Qian, this is Sehun. Yifan’s friend.”
Sehun looks like seconds from smiling or maybe offering his hand for a shake, but Song Qian says, “Your Chinese is funny,” and the hint of joy in his eyes drops completely. His mouth frowns slightly.
“We should go.” he gets in the car and waits for everyone to accommodate with the cake and cookies. Yifan takes the passenger seat while Yixing and Song Qian go in the back seat.
“Is Soojung coming?” Song Qian asks Yixing.
“Nah, Jongdae says she’s already asleep.” he answers. “Better like this. Who knows what kind of havoc she would wreck.”
The drive to Mapo is silent, only the soft music from Sehun’s radio system filling the air. Zitao’s party takes place on a rooftop nearby Yifan’s apartment building, Luhan’s building from what Yixing was told. They get there quick without traffic, and the building, in Yixing’s opinion, is a little fancier than Yifan’s.
“Luhan is rich.” Sehun says in his easy chinese. Yixing just nods. The rooftop shines in golden and yellow, sparkly party flags and yellow balloons. Makes one wonder where will the panda cake fit. Wouldn’t a sun cake be a better fit?
As soon as they step in, Zitao rushes in their direction. Yixing’s eyes widen when notice he’s wearing a panda costume. He grips Yixing’s shoulder, “I’m glad you made it on time. Where’s my cake?”
Yixing blinks, “Yifan’s bringing the cake. Here are the cookies,” he hands the box and points to Song Qian. “This is my friend, Song Qian. She helped decorate the cookies. Happy birthday, by the way.”
Song Qian waves and smiles prettily, that way she manages when she wants people to like her. Seemingly works well with Zitao; he grins and takes her hand in both his, shaking it. “Thank you for coming.”
Zitao’s guests start arriving at the party thirty minutes in, by then music is already blasting and people are getting drunk. Yixing just leans against the wall with Song Qian (until she spots something she likes and scurries away to follow them), trying to figure out if people like his cookies by their facial expressions when they take the first bite. Everyone seems delighted, except for one man wearing a bright purple t-shirt and brown shorts. That one frowns and throws the precious star away. Makes Yixing want to force it down his throat.
“You look displeased for someone so cute in a party with cake and balloons.”
Yixing blinks out of his deviations and turns his head. Next to him is a smiling man at least half a head taller, brown hair styled away from his forehead and nice eyes. Yixing doesn’t know him nor remember seeing his face before.
He smiles, casting his eyes away because the way the man looks at him makes warmness creep up his neck. He reaches up for his ears before looking up. The man is still smiling, as if Yixing’s reaction to his approach is amusing.
“Cute people need to look pleased in a party with cake and balloons?” Yixing tries. The man beams wider, which is surprisingly possible. It’s a wonder that his mouth can stretch any further.
“So you agree that you’re cute.” Smiley Man crosses his arms on his chest and Yixing flushes redder. He feels trapped.
“You’re the one that said it first.” he retorts.
“Yeah, I think you’re cute.” the other says matter-of-factly. “Do you agree with me?”
Somehow this doesn’t sound like a yes or no question. Yixing snorts, meeting Smiley Man’s eyes and, for the first time since their weird conversation kicked off, he doesn’t look away.
The man, noticing Yixing wouldn’t answer his question, stretches a hand. “I’m Chanyeol.”
“Yixing.” he shakes the hand and Smiley Man -- now Chanyeol --, widens his eyes (also surprisingly possible).
“You made the cake and the glittery cookies?” asks in curiosity.
“I did. Zitao insisted that glitter was involved, even if it doesn’t match his panda costume or the cake.”
Chanyeol laughs, the sound makes Yixing wonder if that’s how he usually laughs or if he went a little overboard. “That’s Zitao right there.” he heaves a sigh. “Say, Yixing, do you want a drink? Or a cookie?” It’s been a while since it last happened that way, but Yixing thinks Chanyeol is flirting with him. He feels utterly unprepared for this kind of situation, should he lead Chanyeol on? Should he tell Chanyeol he’s not up for a drink and suggest that he gets lost? Clearing his throat, Yixing nods. Chanyeol smiles, “Drink or a cookie?”
“Cookie.”
Chanyeol gives him a thumbs up. “I’ll be right back.”
As soon as he parts, Yixing fishes for his phone in his pocket, fingers skating across the screen in a rush to send Song Qian an SOS message. Even before he has the message sent, someone touches his shoulder. He closes his eyes in despair. Is Chanyeol back already? However, it’s not Chanyeol’s overly enthusiastic face that greets him once he turns around. It’s Yifan, eyebrows menacingly furrowed. That is an odd face for someone in a party with cake and balloons.
“You ok?” Yixing asks and Yifan huffs looking vexed and annoyed.
“Sure,” he answers, but something about his tone is not right. When Yixing narrows his eyes, Yifan looks away. “Are you here alone?”
“Nope. I met someone named Chanyeol? He went for some cookies.”
“Yifan!” Chanyeol exclaims, cookies in both hands. He hands one over and Yixing notices he’s got glitter all over his fingers. Song Qian must have sprinkled them over the already glued ones and the loose grains are falling all over people’s fingers. He wrinkles his nose in distaste. “Nice to see you, man.”
“Chanyeol,” Yifan says. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”
“I am!” Chanyeol looks down at Yixing. “Your cookies got me all sparkly.”
“I’m sorry.” he bites on his lower lip and winces at Chanyeol apologetically, but the taller man laughs delightedly.
“It’s fine, Yixing.”
Yifan clears his throat. “Luhan was looking for you,” he touches Yixing’s forearm. “Wanted to say hi or something.”
Strange stuff, since Luhan never looks too happy in seeing him. He frowns. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Do you wanna go find him?”
“Now?” Chanyeol cuts in. “But I got you a cookie.”
Suddenly, they’re both staring down at Yixing with these really expectant eyes and anxious faces and Yixing is at loss for words. That’s when Song Qian arrives, arms linked with another man Yixing’s never seen before. He rushes to her side.
“Hey,” she says. “This is Joonmyun. He works for the Paper Company, can you believe this?”
Yixing looks at the man, slightly shorter than him and definitely shorter than Song Qian. Joonmyun, on the other hand, doesn’t seem fazed by his height, smiles at Yixing and nods at both Yifan and Chanyeol.
“Yifan.” he greets.
“Joonmyun.” the other answers. “It’s been a while.”
Song Qian gasps. “You know Mr. Handsome?” Joonmyun frowns and Yifan rolls his eyes at the nickname. “I mean Yifan.”
“Oh, yeah.” he smiles. Yixing notices he’s got perfect teeth and a nice forehead. “I’m Zitao’s neighbor, sometimes we go out for drinks.”
“So you work in the company? Why haven’t we seen you before?” Yixing questions, but instead of getting an answer from Joonmyun, Song Qian replies excitedly.
“He’s from the seventh floor.”
“Oh,” he says. “Human resources.”
Song Qian hums, “He’s the head of HR.”
Everything makes sense now -- why Song Qian is attached to Joonmyun and why they never see him in the company. No one ever sees heads of sectors, they’re always too busy to walk amongst commoners. Which might mean Joonmyun has money. Which leads him back to the reason why Song Qian is attached to him.
“Excuse us?” Yifan, who had been watching from aside, pulls Yixing unceremoniously. “We need to go find Luhan.”
“But--”
“Wait a second!” he hears Chanyeol yell, but it’s too late and Yifan has already dragged him out of the rooftop and into the staircase. He climbs them down until they reach the elevator level. Yixing just watches him curiously.
“Where are we going?” he questions as Yifan presses the elevator button repeatedly. If Yixing didn’t know better, he would seriously consider a horde of zombies on their tail to justify Yifan’s haste in leaving the rooftop.
“Luhan’s apartment.”
“Why? The party is happening up here.”
Yifan sighs, running both hands though his ponytail hair, which causes it to come loose from the tie and forces him to redo it. Yixing’s never seen such an expression on Yifan’s face. Concerned, but not thoughtful. He’s clearly unhappy about something.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing Yixing,” his voice sounds tired. “There’s nothing wrong.”
The elevator arrives and they step inside. No one says a word during the whole ride to Luhan’s floor. The door is open, Yifan pushes it easily and holds it for Yixing to come inside. Luhan’s apartment is colorful, all sorts of funny decorations, which doesn’t match the idea Yixing has of Yifan’s friend at all.
He takes his time inspecting Luhan’s place and all the film noir pictures he’s got framed. Posters of classics hang all around.
“Yixing,” Yifan’s voice snaps him out of his decoration-induced reverie. “Come here.”
The other is sitting on the turquoise couch, already removing the yellow cushions and making room for Yixing to sit next to him. Yixing feels too conscious of the atmosphere once he sits and Yifan scoots a little bit closer, arm brushing his. They’re so close that Yixing’s stomach flutters in anticipation. They’ve been close before, so much closer, but it’s only the two of them in the apartment, not even the music from the party is heard, and there's something different about the way Yifan looks down at him, like he’s choosing the right words to say something important.
Yixing feels uneasy. “Did you want to say something?”
Yifan nods once, inhaling and taking Yixing’s hand in his. Yixing’s heart skips a beat as Yifan plays with his hand, touches his nails and thumbs the spaces between his fingers.
“I’m sorry I dragged you down here,” he chuckles. It sounds different, almost embarrassed. “Chanyeol was all over you and I was starting to get pissed.”
Yixing bites back a smile, although he’s pretty sure Yifan can see the amusement in his face. “Are you jealous?” The hands Yifan use to rub his face aren’t enough to mask his flushed cheeks. Yixing giggles, pulling the hands down. Now Yifan just looks pained. “Are you?”
He shifts, face suddenly alert. “It’s like… The birds.” Yifan starts. “And the sun and the air… The air has these tiny… particles thingies that are just…” he laughs nervously. “Unavoidable.”
What, is the only think Yixing can get from all the gibberish. Yifan can probably see it in his face, the confusion.
“What I mean is that… All these things… They’re gonna touch you. And there’s nothing I can do about it.” he explains, fast breathing and searching eyes. “But Chanyeol... That, I can stop.” Yixing stills, looking for Yifan’s eyes, but they’re focused on another part of his face. His mouth. He bites on his lower lip and Yifan inhales, finally looking up.
“What are you saying?”
“That I hate when people touch you, or get closer to you. I might have just realized that, but I hate it.” He exales, as if he’s unloading a burden that’s been bothering him for a long time. Yixing feels fuzzy, and the thumps of his heart reverberate through his entire body. It’s not like it’s a surprise to hear all that from Yifan, he’s been aware of feelings for a while. Especially his own. Yixing’s been thinking about that night they slept together, about Yifan’s arms around him and his breathing on Yixing’s neck. He’s been thinking about what they both said and wondering if he would know when time is finally right. Turns out he does know.
“I like you,” Yifan says, sounds like he’s declaring defeat. Maybe he is. “I feel so stupid, because we know each other for three months and there hasn’t been a single day in which I don’t think about you.
“That first day when you left the studio, I seriously considered asking my receptionist if you had left any information, a phone number, an e-mail address… Anything I could use to contact you. Then I found you at the convenience store and thought wow, it must really be destiny.” he lowers his eyes and chuckles to himself. “Silly. I’m not that kind of guy, Yixing. To call it destiny and stuff, but there’s something about you… I don’t know. You bewitched me.”
He gets it now. The gibberish about the sun and the birds. Yixing holds Yifan’s gaze because there’s nowhere else he’d rather look, and ever so slowly, his fingers find their way down Yifan’s leg. He slides just a bit closer, not daring to look away from the parted mouth and half-lidded eyes Yifan watches him intently with, letting Yixing approach on his own accord. The hand on his leg snakes up, drags all the way to Yifan’s face and he lets out a shuddered breath, blinking slowly as Yixing settles himself so attached to Yifan’s side that the latter shifts, drapes his arm around Yixing’s shoulder.
He wishes he could find the exact same words Yifan had said, Yixing really wishes he could bring himself to say it back. It’s not that he doesn’t feel the same way. He does. Just doesn’t know how to put it. Instead, Yixing lifts his face and touches Yifan’s lips with his. It’s just a dry press of lips at first, Yixing moving his hand so his arm is circling Yifan’s neck. The way he gets himself nearly on top of Yifan causes the other to move, place his hands on Yixing’s hips. Yifan opens his mouth, moves his lips to catch Yixing’s lower one between his as he brings them closer.
They just kiss for a while, hands moving from necks to waists and shoulders, tongues tasting and laving. Kissing Yifan turns out to be quite relaxing, not as nerve-racking and urgent as he thought it would be. It’s easy, swift as the coursing river.
He whines and tries to pull him back when Yifan pushes them apart, having both his wrists caught in a hold. “But with all the force of a great typhoon, right?”
Yixing frowns. Didn’t even realize he’d said that out loud. “Whatever you want, just keep kissing me.”
“You’re the one who said it--”
They don’t leave Luhan’s apartment until Song Qian calls saying that Zitao is pissed because Yifan missed the happy birthday, so they move upstairs in a hurry. Zitao jumps Yifan and gives him an earful for missing his moment to shine, and says that he’s not working on monday so Yifan can compensate him by double shifting. Chanyeol finds Yixing moments after Zitao drags Yifan somewhere in a chokehold and asks if he’d intruded on something.
“I didn’t know you two were a thing.” he says apologetically.
Yixing smiles and Chanyeol nods, mouth pressed in a thin line. Now that he’s not feeling the pressure of being courted, he notices how big are Chanyeol’s ears. It’s kind of endearing, actually. Makes him sigh.
“So. Maybe we can talk some time. As friends?” he suggests.
“Sounds awesome,” Yixing answers, and he really means it.
✦
There is no time left for anything other than work and baking. He bakes when he wakes up, he bakes before going to bed, he even bakes at other people’s places (Soojung charged him in a batch of Red Velvets for messing up her kitchen). He doesn’t even sense it take over his life. Yixing just sees himself getting swamped by demands and orders. More and more people he doesn’t remember giving his phone number to, start calling him at ungodly hours (especially when he’s in a middle of a call with a rabid customer that’s for sure not interested in changing his paper brand). It’s a mystery how that many people get to know about his services, and he’s starting to suspect that his friends have a huge share in it.
He spends his working hours eager to get home and try the new recipies he’s been gathering. Zitao’s birthday was a good experience in the cookies field; Yixing is trying new sugar-based icings and he uses these on the cookies he’s bringing his mother and grandparents on his holiday trip. He ponders packing some more cookies, considering he’s in for three days of his family and they’ve all been hearing so much about his baking goods that Yixing feels mean for not bringing many.
Song Qian agrees taking care of Peter Parker while he’s away, although he’s kind of afraid she’d usurp his title as the cat’s human. Yifan also offered to look after his pet, but Yixing feared the interactions between Peter Parker and Yifan’s hamster, Toy. He didn’t want his kitten to become a murderer just yet.
Yifan, on the other hand, didn’t seem very pleased with Yixing going away for that long. The tattoo artist kept texting throughout his Saturday afternoon while he packed, lamenting the fact that he had to work on Yixing’s ‘last day in Seoul’.
It’s just three days, don’t be dramatic. he texts back, fighting the urge to grin because Yifan is so obvious. It even looks like you’d truly miss me.
The other sends him a glaring selca, furrowed eyebrows and fierce eyes that only manages to send Yixing into a laughing fit.
On Sunday, Yifan drives him to the airport early in the morning. Keeps reminding him that he had to give Sehun a free tattoo ticket to borrow the car again, and he only manages to do so because the younger one is a big couch potato. Yifan mentions Luhan is planning a holiday gathering, and that maybe he’ll crash at Zitao’s because he’s always so hammered at Luhan’s parties that the way home is like finding a trap door to Narnia. Although Yifan’s task is simply driving Yixing to the airport, he hangs until the last call to board the plane, and Yixing rewards him with a nice box of assorted cupcakes. Yixing can see it in Yifan’s eyes that he wants to lean forward when they say their goodbyes; he can catch a glint that lights up Yifan’s eyes every time they face each other. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that Yifan’s eyes smile when he looks at Yixing, and he would gladly lean forward himself, but he doesn’t have a clue at where they stand, he doesn’t know if kissing Yifan would be invading his space or maybe jumping to conclusions.
The thing is that they never talked about the kiss at Zitao’s party, they didn’t have an opportunity to do so. Zitao’s party was on Friday, and Yixing spent the whole Saturday holed up in his apartment baking and packing. It’s not like the subject never came to mind -- he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and the text Yifan sent him at 6AM is an indication that the other couldn’t stop thinking about it either. However, no one brought it up and the Saturday went by with Yifan agreeing to drive him to the airport and Yixing baking an extra batch of cupcakes.
After a 3 hour and 25 minutes flight, the first thing Yixing does when he lands in Changsha is text Yifan. I’m home :). He rips the ICN-CSX ticket from his luggage and throws it in a wastebasket on his way to grab a cab. Yifan’s answer only comes when he’s halfway to his mother’s house. have fun.
A second one comes a few minutes later.
i’ll miss you :<
✦
“BABA DON’T FEED THE DOG COOKIES! THESE ARE FOR US, HUMANS!”
His mother screams from the living room. She probably spots grandpa giving Ruki stuff to eat again. Yixing smiles, plopping the bundle of dry clothes his mother asked him to fold on the couch. He takes a seat on the floor and starts folding the pants in a uniform pile. Yixing’s pretty good at folding clothes, he should fold his own back home instead of leaving it all in a messy huddle all around.
He’s almost done with the pants when his mother approaches, “Do you want Hotpot for dinner?”
Yixing arches his eyebrows. “Are you cooking?”
His mother shakes her head, “Your grandmother is.”
He sighs in relief. His mother can’t cook Hotpot to save her life. “Then it’s fine.” he smiles when she squints before sitting down to help him with the clothes. She uses the same method he does (of course she does, it’s her method) to pile up the folded ones, and too soon they’re finished.
“Thanks for helping,” Yixing says. “I’m actually really lazy to fold clothes.”
She gives him a look. “Well I didn’t teach you that,” and sighs. “Mei Ling’s son may be a perpetrator, but he never complains about folding clothes.”
“What a big fat lie,” Yixing scoffs and elbows her side. “I’m not complaining.”
“It’s fine, I’m used to it.” pinching his nose, she wraps her thin arms around him, humming in contentment. “I’m so happy. I missed my son.”
Yixing smiles, returning the hug. “I missed you too, mama.”
“Your grandpa gave the dog all the cookies,” she retorts. “Do you feel like baking some more? Maybe one of those beautiful cupcakes you send me pictures.”
“Oh yeah. I can bake some cupcakes. Do you have piping tips?” he perks up.
“Of course I do!”
They move to the kitchen and his mother helps him in separating the ingredients. She watches him closely, ready to throw in a remark if he messes up, which Yixing thinks it’s kinda funny, because ever since his grandmother taught him how to bake, he’s been better than his mother and still she lectures. He opts for simple chocolate cakes with buttercream icing. He finds a jar of strawberry jam in the fridge and uses it as filling. Yixing warns his grandfather not to feed Ruki his cupcakes.
“I’m not feeding him anything!” his grandpa defends himself.
“I know you told him to eat my flowers!” Yixing’s grandma complains, her lips a complete mess of buttercream and chocolate crumbs. He chuckles, sitting back by the table and watching them diss each other like a couple of teenagers, only halting when his grandma decides she’s got better stuff to do, like cooking dinner.
When his mother sits next to him to devour what seems to be the third cupcake, Yixing takes the chance to ask her about the institution he sent money.
She nods, “It’s going well. I didn’t buy food with the money you sent, I bought them clothes.” she explains. “They loved it, some were really in need of new clothes. Thank you, angel.”
Yixing relaxes against the chair, feeling an odd sense of joy filling him. “That’s good mama, thanks for helping.”
“Speaking of which,” she licks the last of cupcake icing. “How is your list thing going? Are you done yet?”
“Not yet.” he blinks, thinking back to his list and all he’s done so far. He’s so close to the finishing line, and the thought of what comes next never even crossed his mind. What happens once he’s done?
“Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish?” His mother watches him intently, half eaten cupcake forgotten.
Yixing started the list with the intent of moving out of the stale life he was trapped into -- going to work, coming back home, sleeping only to wake up and start everything over, maybe meeting with friends to chat and have a drink. His friends always had something interesting to say -- a promotion, a new boyfriend, a new girlfriend, an awesome recently found record store, sometimes a recipe that turned out to be just what they were looking for. Yixing never had stuff to say besides complaints about work and his rude bosses unhappy about his screwed up monthly numbers.
Something’s changed ever since the list. No. Everything changed. He doesn’t come home to an empty, lifeless lodging at the end of his days. He doesn’t sit in front of his xbox sadly trying to unlock more missions on Dead Rising 3. When meeting with his friends, there is always something to talk and discuss, even if his life is always put in perspective. For once, people look at him and see something interesting. He looks at himself and sees something interesting. Yixing is that dude with the orange hair that bakes awesome stuff and hangs up the phone on angry customers. Yixing is the dude with a cat named Peter Parker (of all names) and the beginnings of a baking business that only him can’t see as an actual business.
So he looks at his mother and answers with a smile.
“Yes, mama. I did.” he blinks, twirling the fork he was using to eat his cupcake in his fingers. “There’s one more thing I should do, though.”
She frowns, “What would that be?”
7.1. Quit my job
He quits on Wednesday first thing in the day when his co-workers (ex co-workers) are still getting their work spaces ready for another shift.
The holiday in Changsha was great -- it added up to the wave of great things that’s been coming into Yixing’s life. Sunday was a home day, baking for his family, eating his grandmother’s hotpot, watching late night game shows. Monday was a neighborhood day, Yixing visited all his old friends. He was somewhat surprised at seeing that half of them were already married with kids. On Tuesday his mother took him to the children centre he sent the money for. The place doesn’t have the best facilities and installments, but it’s comfortable, the kids look happy. His mom names all of them, whispering to the kids that Yixing was the nice man who bought them all those clothes. He was thanked by being jumped and dragged all the way to bedrooms to be introduced to teddy bears and puppies. He thinks that maybe Tuesday was the best day.
It’s only when he’s on the cab back to the airport that he checks his phone, the device completely forgotten in his suitcase. There are about twenty text messages. Five from Song Qian with pictures of Peter Parker and the most useless information about the cat. Two are from Jongdae, talking about ‘Yixing’s cake business’ and how he should think about losing the ‘Yixing’ and naming it ‘Cake Business’. He likes it. Three are from his phone company about roaming service and his data limits. All the other ones are from Yifan.
did you get there yet?
met your friend baekhyun at the grocery shop today.
finished all your cupcakes in fifteen minutes. you should come back right away to gimme some more
morning :)
did you lose your phone?
yixing??? D:
ok, i’m not gonna bother anymore
morning, are you there?
zitao is whining about sehun and how he’s constantly ignored. please save me.
Yixing snorts and types an answer. Geez, you love me that much?
The answer comes less than a minute later. YIXING. YOU ARE ALIVE.
Of course I’m alive, he bites back a smile. Couldn’t stand being apart from me, right?
sure. want me to pick you up at the airport? Yixing can almost picture Yifan blushing and averting his eyes, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. He can’t stop the grin that takes over his face.
You’ll die if you don’t.
mock me all you want, it’s not gonna make me miss you any less.
His face will break if he smiles any wider. You’ll have to give Sehun another tattoo ticket.
no, i’ll take a cab. i know you could do that by yourself, but i wanna see you.
It’s a 3 hour and 25 minutes flight back to Seoul. He can make it.
Yifan is waiting for him at the arrival gate, and it feels like Yixing is catching glance of him for the first time. He’s wearing a blue t-shirt, his hair in a half ponytail. He looks so handsome Yixing could cry tears of joy over the fact that it’s him Yifan is waiting for. As soon as he steps closer, Yifan’s hand reaches for Yixing’s hair, sweeping his too-long fringe away from his forehead.
“Your hair is longer,” Yifan says, hand falling to Yixing’s nape.
“Hello you,” Yixing tilts his face up and grins, hoping that he looks cute and his dimple appears. “I’ve been out for three days, that’s not enough time for my hair to grow longer.”
Yifan frowns in surprise. “Three days? Wow. Felt like a month.” he says, making a grab for Yixing’s suitcase and pulling it to his side before sliding the hand on Yixing’s neck down his arm and straight to his hand.
Just like it’s no big deal, Yifan laces their hands together, eyes locked on their entwined fingers. Something flutters in Yixing’s stomach and his ears tickle. He would like to scratch, but Yifan’s hand feels awesome in his, and maybe this is a milestone that he wouldn’t want to ruin.
In the cab, Yifan can’t seem to be able to keep his hands off Yixing. Caressing his neck, running his fingers through his hair, touching his knees, his fingers, poking his nose. It’s so much Yixing feels like he might combust any time. The way his eyes explore Yixing’s face, as if there’s something there he still ought to see, something hidden. There’s nothing actually, but Yixing loves having Yifan’s attention, so he scoots a bit closer and places a hand on Yifan’s leg. He gets an arm around his shoulder in exchange.
It’s when they’re in the elevator of Song Qian’s apartment building to pick Peter Parker up that Yifan turns to him, eyes a little glassy and lips parted like he’s not paying attention to himself and his facial features. He looks at Yixing as if nothing else could catch his focus.
“Shit,” he exhales. “I’m so into you.”
Yixing can look away; he can snort and wave it aside, but he feels pinned by Yifan’s eyes. Locked in place by something, a strong feeling that travels from Yifan to him. He lightly touches the fabric of Yifan’s blue t-shirt, pinches it before balling his hands in the collar and pulling him down. He stops when their noses bump, Yifan’s breathing warming up his face. Yifan’s circles an arm around his waist and kills the distance between them.
This is different than before. The way Yifan’s mouth closes around his lips is hungry, hurried, as if Yixing will escape if he doesn’t claim him. Calm down, he wants to say. I’m yours if you ask me.
The hand that was pulling Yixing’s suitcase comes to press on his jaw, thumb soothing on his chin and bottom lip once they part. He lets out a shuddered breath because it’s not enough, he didn’t get enough of Yifan, but the elevator is announcing that they’ve arrived at their destination. The taller steps back, pulling Yixing’s suitcase out of the cubicle.
Song Qian answers the door looking like a hobo, her always-perfect hair tied in a messy bun at the top of her head, and the pajamas she’s wearing are at least three years old.
“I love him,” she cries as soon as Yixing and Yifan step inside, mumbling a weak hi mr. handsome.
Yixing frowns severely. “Well, you can’t have him. He’s my cat.” he crouches in front of his russian blue elegantly sitting next to Song Qian’s dresser, and Peter Parker meows. “Hey dude.”
“I’m not talking about your stupid cat, you can take this little monster. He ruined my cushions,” she says, pushing the door closed and falling limply on her bright purple armchair. “I’m talking about Joonmyun.”
“Wait. Kim Joonmyun?” Yifan cuts in. “Zitao’s neighbor?”
Song Qian sighs sadly. “Yes. We went on a date yesterday and it was wonderful, but he’s not replying to my texts.”
Yixing picks Peter Parker up and walks back into the conversation. “Does Baekhyun know you’re going on dates?”
“I don’t care about Baekhyun,” she rolls her eyes. “Joonmyun is everything I need. He’s handsome and polite and well-educated and rich.”
“He’s shorter than you.” Yifan says.
“And Yixing is ugly, yet you have hearts in your eyes every time you look at him.” she shrugs. “Go figure.”
Yifan chuckles, lowering his head. Looks much like he’s surrendering to her comment, agreeing. Yixing smiles.
“Today is Baekhyun’s birthday, did you send him a message?” he asks. Song Qian squints at him, them promptly rolls her eyes.
“I’ll do that,” so she forgot. He must be thrilled, Yixing thinks. “But Joonmyun,” she whines.
“Well, maybe he’s just busy? Didn’t you say he works at the company? Perhaps you can talk to him tomorrow.” Yixing suggests, fighting Peter Parker’s claws.
“You’re right.” she says. “I can track him down at the company tomorrow.”
“Speaking of which, I’m quitting tomorrow.” Yixing breaks it. Both Yifan and Song Qian turn to look at him in disbelief.
“What?” they say in unison.
He sighs. “I think it’s time. You know I’ve never felt connected to that job, and now I have something I like doing and that can provide me of some good money.”
“Took you long enough,” Song Qian says. “Congratulations. Do you still have orders coming?”
“Not yet, but I’ll ask Jongdae to make me some more business cards.”
“I’ve been following some bakers on instagram, and they all advertise their work on social networks, it’s easy and free. It spreads quickly, Yixing, you could totally do that.” she says.
“You can put some cupcakes for sale at the studio,” Yifan says. “There’s plenty space on my register counter for a tray.”
That’s a great idea, actually. Yixing blinks at him, “Would you do that?”
“Of course,” Yifan answers promptly. “You’re a great baker, it would be a bonus to the studio. People would go there for your cupcakes.”
Song Qian widens her eyes and gasps, standing up from the armchair. “You could make tattoo inspired cupcakes!”
Yixing hugs Peter Parker tighter and the cat meows in annoyance. “I could use your art as an inspiration!” he tells Yifan.
“That’s an amazing idea.” he looks at Song Qian, who just bows extravagantly before tossing imaginary hair. She probably forgot it’s tied up.
“Now that I solved your problems,” she says. “Show yourself out, I have stuff to do.”
7.2. Switch jobs
His boss doesn’t look too surprised when Yixing hands his resignation letter the next morning, he just wishes him good luck and collects his ID card. He hugs his favorite co-workers goodbye and tells them they can always call him whenever they need a cake.
Jongdae is waiting for him in the lobby when Yixing steps out of the elevator carrying a box with the things he had in his cubicle.
“Hey!” Jongdae chirps. “How are you feeling, unemployed?”
Yixing snorts, walking right past Jongdae and out of the building. He hears Jongdae’s sneakers on the linoleum, following him.
“I’m your ride!” Jongdae barks and Yixing stops when he reaches the car. “But seriously, how do you feel?”
He sighs, looking up at the sky. It’s a pretty blue, almost no clouds, the few ones a cotton white and it’s incredibly nice. Great, great day.
“I feel awesome,” he answers, looking down at his friend. “Awesome, Jongdae.”
Jongdae smiles, which makes Yixing smile wider, because Jongdae’s smile has this kind of effect on people. “Let’s go then. I have great ideas for your business card.”
They find a nice, quiet cafe to talk, and Jongdae lays three models of business cards in front of him.
“So, I was thinking that instead of Yixing’s cake business, we could call it Cake Business. It’s fancier, don’t you think?” he suggests. Yixing nods. Looking over the stuff Jongdae brought, Yixing thinks he likes the plain white with colorful letters one better.
“I want this one.” he says promptly. Jongdae’s face falls.
“But you didn’t even look at the others.”
“I did, and I like this one better. Done.” Yixing stretches his lips. Jongdae clucks his tongue.
“I put a lot of thought into this. Are you in a hurry?”
“I’m thinking about this stuff Song Qian suggested yesterday,” he answers. “About advertising through social network. I could have an instagram profile. Upload pictures of my stuff there.”
Jongdae narrows his eyes, “The url would go on your business card. That’s great.”
He nods, “And Yifan told me I can sell cupcakes on his studio as well. Maybe we can put his address? If he’s fine with it?”
In a split second, Jongdae’s face shifts from thoughtful to mischievous. He chuckles. “Oh. Yifan.” Yixing rolls his eyes. “Did you guys make out just yet?”
Weird that word didn’t get around just yet. Maybe Song Qian was too preoccupied with Kim Joonmyun to gossip away. Now he’s the one who’s supposed to break it to Jongdae.
Clearing his throat, Yixing says “Yes,”
His friend is clearly taken aback. “What?”
“We kissed,” he clarifies. “At Zitao’s party on Friday and yesterday when I got home.”
Jongdae whistles. “Wow. Finally? You’ve been tiptoeing around each other for months. Are you dating?”
“I don’t know. We kissed, that’s it. I guess nothing is decided yet, but,” he sighs, fidgeting with the prototypes. “He’s cool. Really cool. And so handsome. I think I’m stopping by the studio after this.”
There’s silence for a while, so he just assumes Jongdae is busy with his phone (Soojung acts up at the most untimely moments), but when he lifts his eyes from the cards, Jongdae is watching him with one of those silly, pretty smiles of his. Yixing narrows his eyes.
“What?”
“You like him.”
“... That’s an understatement, Jongdae.”
Jongdae shakes his head, chuckling. “I know! But it’s nice to see you like this. It’s been a while, and it’s like… I don’t know if it’s Yifan or everything you worked out, but you’re different. Lighter.”
“How was I before? Heavier?” Yixing laughs, leaning back against the chair. Jongdae shrugs.
“Maybe. You seemed troubled when you came to my place a few months ago. Walked on circles, got dirt all over my rug.” he scratches his nose. “I can tell that you feel lighter as well.”
“I think it’s funny that you noticed that.”
“Of course I notice, I’m your friend!” Jongdae leans across the table to smack Yixing on the arm. He just smiles, massaging the hit spot as Jongdae collects his things from the table. Yixing gives his chosen card a last glance and inhales. He liked the path this is all taking, he likes sitting with Jongdae to discuss possibilities for something new and exciting, he likes that he’s the one behind it, he loves that this is all him. And his helpful friends, of course.
“Hey, Jongdae,” Yixing says. “I wanna do this.”
Jongdae frowns, “This what?”
“This. Cake Business. I know you’re doing my business cards to help me because you’re an awesome friend,” Jongdae beams at that. “but I wanna hire you as my designer. I want you helping me with photo menus and my brand and everything. Would you let me hire you?”
“Of course,” the other nods. “I’d be happy to help you, mate. Aaaand I’ll give you a special price.”
Yixing snorts, “I’d murder you if you didn’t.”
{item n. 8}
Pairing: kris/lay
Rating: PG-13
Length: 43,278 words
Summary: Yixing has an eight-step list to change his life and the first thing is to get a tattoo. What’s not on the list, however, is the hot tattoo artist that comes along. (it's so much more than that, really)
{item n. 6}
7. Change jobs to something meaningful
The venue is huge, well ventilated and illuminated. The only problem is the amount of walking space there is. The tattoo stands are so close to each other that Yixing, had to, more than once, jump over stuff (usually trashcans). People are getting all kinds of tattoos, and there are lectures and workshops going on (what’s expected of a tattoo convention) -- the perfect place for an ink enthusiast, and the best part is that this is only day one.
He’s been walking around with Baekhyun for exactly twelve minutes but he can’t find Yifan and Zitao’s stand. He has a map and directions sent in a text message, but there are just too many stands and everyone has tattooed arms.
“Of course everyone has tattooed arms,” Baekhyun barks louder than usual. It’s noisy inside, but Yixing can hear him perfectly. “We’re at a tattoo convention. What were you expecting? Doll houses and pink dresses?”
“Seriously, Baek, no need to shout. I’m right next to you.”
“I’m not shouting,” Baekhyun rolls his eyes and stares at his phone. “Fifteen minutes. Did you figure out where they are?”
“Of course not!” Yixing retorts. “And now I feel like we’re walking in circles, why don’t we just--”
“Yixing?”
A voice he knows, but is not very familiar speaks nearby, and Yixing turns around to be met with doe eyes and light-brown hair. The man smiles at him, full gums and eye wrinkles.
“Luhan?” he tests out, being rewarded with a nod. “Hello!”
“Didn’t know you were coming.” Luhan says, giving his shoulder a light tap. “Yifan talks about you nonstop but somehow he forgot to tell us you were coming.”
He squints very unsure. “Is this a bad thing?”
“Not at all,” Luhan steps closer, smile dropping just a bit. “I trust you remember the little chat we had the other time.”
There it is. Seeing Luhan had given Yixing a weird chill, kind of a danger warning or something. Now he knows why.
He swallows, moving closer to Baekhyun. “I do.”
“Then we’re good.” Luhan smiles, looking at Baekhyun. “Hi, I’m Luhan. Yifan’s friend.”
Baekhyun frowns at him. “Hi. Are you frightening my friend?”
“Me? Ha ha what for.” he taps Baekhyun’s shoulder. “If you’re looking for Yifan he’s three booths over,” and just like that, he walks away.
Yixing can’t lie, he feels a lot more relieved once Luhan is gone.
“Who’s that guy? One of the mean friends that gave you a warning?” Baekhyun inquires.
“He might have said something else, but I was too scared to memorize it. They made it clear that I shouldn’t lead Yifan on if I’m not interested.”
Baekhyun crosses his arms in one of the few times he doesn’t look playful or scornful. He just watches Yixing from behind his lashes and bids his time. “So have you thought about it? You and Yifan.”
Yixing sighs and looks around. A tattoo convention doesn’t seem like the best place to talk about feelings. “Can we get back to this later?” It takes a few minutes for Baekhyun to nod, but he does, and they start walking again.
They find Yifan and Zitao three booths over, exactly as Luhan had instructed, looking awfully busy. There is a woman next to them, white skin, tight, tiny shorts and a bikini top. A small portion of her body, especially arms and legs, is covered by colorful tattoos, a few watercolor ones that Yixing recognizes as Yifan’s art, and other stuff that must probably be Zitao’s. She’s definitely their model. Yixing can’t help but notice how pretty she is, short red hair and plump lips. Looks right out of a tattoo magazine.
Yifan has someone lying on their stomach on one of their chairs as he works a medium sized tattoo on their ribs. From where he sees it, it looks like a watercolor dragon. Zitao, on the other hand, works on someone’s shoulder. A few people stop to stare, but none lingers except for Yixing and Baekhyun.
“Gonna say hi?” Baekhyun asks, elbowing Yixing in a way he knows Yixing hates, just to annoy him.
“Not now. He’s working.”
“He might be waiting for you to show up.”
True, he might. “I’ll talk to him when he takes a break.”
The break happens about eight minutes in. The person, a young man, gets up from the chair and looks down at his hips, trying to look at the finished piece. Yifan chuckles then takes his phone out, snapping a picture. The man looks pleased; shakes his hand and pays him before having his middle wrapped in plastic and leaving. Only then Yixing approaches.
“Looking busy,” he says. Yifan turns around to the sound of his voice, eyebrows arched and mouth parted. His lips tug upwards when he catches sight of Yixing.
“Hey!” Yifan chirps, rushing closer and wrapping Yixing in a quick, kind of unexpected hug. It shouldn’t be this unexpected, they’ve hugged before, they’ve slept next to each other before, they’ve kissed before. Hugging is probably the basic. However, it makes something flutter in Yixing’s stomach. “I’m so happy you came!” he says, and Yixing can really see it in his eyes, that he’s happy.
He smiles wide and carefree. “Yeah. I’m kinda confused about the disposition of booths though, were they placed not to let us wander around?”
Yifan laughs, crossing his arms on his chest. He’s wearing a long-sleeved shirt, Yixing notices, a black one, and his hair is tied in a loose bun. “It’s a tight fit. Too many artists.” he sees Baekhyun. “Hey man. Baekhyun, right?”
The other nods, “Got a good memory.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Baekhyun snorts, “I’m not here for you, pal. I’m here for the rock’n’roll chicks. Gonna stroll,” he spins his index finger in the air and pokes Yixing in the ribs before leaving. “Call me later.”
They watch after him before settling on each other again. Yixing steps into the stand and takes a look around. Yifan’s designs -- the ones he’d shown him and others that he hadn’t -- are everywhere on display. Zitao’s are there too, Yixing assumes they’re his only because the colors and techniques doesn’t look like Yifan’s.
“So,” he starts after a few moments of silence. “How is everything so far?”
“Great,” Yifan answers. “Lots of people coming over, lots showing interest in our work, wanting contacts and stuff. So far, so good.”
Before they can fall into conversation, another customer comes in, and they keep coming, which is actually awesome for Yifan and Zitao’s business. When Zitao is finally free he takes Yixing in, shows him the sketches he’s displaying. A lot of stuff with clocks and blocks of colors, Yixing likes it. Then when something gets him busy again, Yixing calls Baekhyun and follows him to a female tattooist stand. She has a crooked tooth and a pointy nose, but her designs are mostly fit for girl’s thighs. Baekhyun wouldn’t be there for nothing, Yixing thinks.
Hours drive by and Yixing is pretty impressed with how quick it rushed. Before he notices the speakers are announcing the last minutes of open stands. They return to Yifan and Zitao’s stand with cups from a drink stand right in the middle of the venue (they got some discounts thanks to Baekhyun flirting with the cashier). Yifan doesn’t look busy when he gets there, chatting with some girl. Judging by the color of her hair and her tattooed, pale and overly exposed skin, it’s the model. He approaches them, offering one of the cups to Yifan.
“For me?” he looks surprised, but accepts the cup. When Yixing smiles and nods, Yifan beams, his eyes lingering. “Thanks.” he lightly pinches Yixing’s cheek. “Met Ginger?”
The woman turns to him, smiling tightly. “Hi,” says.
“Hi.” Yixing curtly nods giving her little attention, then turns to Yifan. “I’m hungry. Do you wanna get something to eat after you’re done here?”
“Good, let me just wrap this up,” he takes a sip of his drink and gives Yixing a questioning look.
“Iced coffee?”
“Yep. Not good?”
“No, you just…” he blinks, his eyes doing that thing where he stares for too long, lingers on Yixing’s face as if there’s something so worthy of contemplation there. “Hit the right spot.”
The second day of convention seems a lot more chaotic than the first. Looks like the world’s population decided to show up on Sunday, Yixing barely finds room to walk amongst stands, and since Baekhyun didn’t tag along it feels like he’s lost. So, he ends up hanging around at Yifan’s stand, where he sits around and watches him and Zitao work the whole day, gets food when they’re hungry and even works as an assistant when needed. Everything is good. Except for the Ginger girl who doesn’t seem to be fond of Yixing (probably because every single time she walks up to Yifan and says something, Yixing cuts in).
When the day is done, they’re all so tired no one feels like eating.
“I want a shower.” Zitao whines as he packs all his sketchbooks and tools on suitcases.
“I’d go for a bath,” says Ginger, who surprisingly stayed to help them clear the stand. “It’s a lot more relaxing,” she glances at Yifan from behind her lashes while bending over to pick a backpack. Yixing closes his fists. She’s such an annoying human being, the way she’s always arching her back so her breasts will show. And why can’t she put on a shirt already? There’s nothing to be showcased anymore, no need to walk around in a bikini.
“Hey,” Yifan nudges his side. “You look seconds away from murder.”
Yixing sighs, looking up at him. “She doesn’t bother me.”
“Oh. Ok then.” Yifan smiles in amusement, crossing his arms on his chest. “Do you want a ride home? I have Sehun’s car.”
“That would be awesome,” he whines, shoulders dropping and hands reaching to rub his face. “I’m so tired.”
The other chuckles, ruffling his hair and sliding his hand down to Yixing’s neck. “Thanks for helping out.”
An answer like ‘you’re welcome’ is the expected turn to that conversation. However, as he looks up at Yifan, his thumb soothing on the side of Yixing’s neck, he thinks there’s just one thing he would like to do. That’s when Yixing takes a few steps forward and wraps his arms around Yifan’s middle, cheek pressed against his shoulder blades. Yifan takes a deep breath before hugging back. He would love to shoot Ginger a look of triumph, but Yifan’s arms feel so warm around him that Yixing decides to settle for feeling victorious.
✦
Zitao wanted star-shaped cookies along with a cake for his birthday party. Yixing didn’t have star shaped cut-outs, so he had to go out and buy some. It was good though, he took advantage of the opportunity to get a few items he was missing. Zitao’s stars had to be glittery yellow with big Zs of golden fondant. The golden pigment was a little harder to find than the glittery yellow, much to Yixing’s surprise, but in the end, it all worked out and Zitao had fifty shining stars with big Zs.
“Isn’t it a little girly for a man?” Song Qian asks as she stores the cookies in containers. She had showed up earlier with the promise of help, but honestly, Yixing knew all she wanted was to eat the raised dome he would cut off from the cake. “And a tattooist?”
“Hey!” Yifan cries from where he gets the colorful stars sprinkles in Yixing’s cabinet. “Zitao takes pride in originality.”
Song Qian doesn’t seem fazed. “Still girly,” she forgets the cookies for a second and turns to Yifan. “Do you think he would mind if we took Soojung? She’s really craving for a party like this, with treats and stuff.”
Yixing chuckles, spreading filling between the layers of the rainbow cake Zitao asked for. The tattooist was very specific about fondant icing with a cute panda over it. “I’ve been ignoring her calls. She wanted me to bake her stuff. I can’t do it once or she’ll think I’m totally ok with doing it forever. Or at least until the baby is born.”
“I think he won’t mind. He didn’t mind you coming.” Yifan answers, pulling the sleeves of his shirt up and revealing his tattooed arms. Then, Yixing stops spreading filling. Yifan focuses on him for a while, lips tugging on the sides as he stares and his arms cross on his chest. “You’ve got cream on your cheek.”
He startles, letting go of the spatula to reach for his face. Yifan chuckles, walking up to him and wiping the cream off Yixing’s cheek. “You’re cute.”
Yixing snorts, averting his eyes because his ears tingle, and he wants to scratch them so much, but that would be a statement of embarrassment. As if Yifan can’t see how red his face surely is. “I’m cute because I got cream on my face?”
“No, you’re cute on a daily basis. The cream just adds up to it.” Yifan shrugs, putting his hands in his pants pockets.
Suddenly, Song Qian clears her throat. They both turn to spot her not far from where they stand, two star cookies on hands looking positively bored. “Can you please stop flirting? I still have to get ready for this party.”
The past weeks have been an easy routine. Somehow the word about Yixing’s baking skills spreaded around after Jinri’s son’s birthday and people kept asking him if he was taking orders. Workers he didn’t even knew worked at the Paper Company came up to him and eventually, Jongdae designed a simple menu with drawings of the cakes Yixing could offer and the frostings and fillings. Everything just spiralled out of control since then (especially because Jongdae took the liberty of titling the menu with big letters: Yixing’s Cake Business). He’s taken five orders the past two weeks -- a simple chocolate buttercream cake, a fruit cake, a coconut cake with a fondant elephant (he had to buy the elephant form), a batch of cupcakes of assorted flavors and a box with ten red velvet cupcakes. He’d been baking a lot more, along with work he almost didn’t have time to do anything else. Thankfully, his friends were great helpers; Baekhyun had been bathing Peter Parker (which explains all the scratches in his arms) and Song Qian took all his dirty laundry the week before.
Yixing’s been seriously thinking about this baking thing. He’s doing alright, and people like his cakes, he’s obviously good at this and the best part is that he loves baking. Feels like he could do it everyday and never get tired.
After Yixing and Song Qian take quick baths and change, Yifan calls Sehun (the cake ride) to pick them up. It takes him a few minutes to get to Yixing’s place, but he manages it.
“We should hurry, Zitao is freaking out about his decorations. Says it looks pointless without the cookies and cake.”
“It looks pointless because he’s mixing glitter and pandas.” Song Qian barks. Sehun squints at her and leans against his car.
“Who’s that?”
“That’s my friend, Song Qian.” Yixing explains. “Song Qian, this is Sehun. Yifan’s friend.”
Sehun looks like seconds from smiling or maybe offering his hand for a shake, but Song Qian says, “Your Chinese is funny,” and the hint of joy in his eyes drops completely. His mouth frowns slightly.
“We should go.” he gets in the car and waits for everyone to accommodate with the cake and cookies. Yifan takes the passenger seat while Yixing and Song Qian go in the back seat.
“Is Soojung coming?” Song Qian asks Yixing.
“Nah, Jongdae says she’s already asleep.” he answers. “Better like this. Who knows what kind of havoc she would wreck.”
The drive to Mapo is silent, only the soft music from Sehun’s radio system filling the air. Zitao’s party takes place on a rooftop nearby Yifan’s apartment building, Luhan’s building from what Yixing was told. They get there quick without traffic, and the building, in Yixing’s opinion, is a little fancier than Yifan’s.
“Luhan is rich.” Sehun says in his easy chinese. Yixing just nods. The rooftop shines in golden and yellow, sparkly party flags and yellow balloons. Makes one wonder where will the panda cake fit. Wouldn’t a sun cake be a better fit?
As soon as they step in, Zitao rushes in their direction. Yixing’s eyes widen when notice he’s wearing a panda costume. He grips Yixing’s shoulder, “I’m glad you made it on time. Where’s my cake?”
Yixing blinks, “Yifan’s bringing the cake. Here are the cookies,” he hands the box and points to Song Qian. “This is my friend, Song Qian. She helped decorate the cookies. Happy birthday, by the way.”
Song Qian waves and smiles prettily, that way she manages when she wants people to like her. Seemingly works well with Zitao; he grins and takes her hand in both his, shaking it. “Thank you for coming.”
Zitao’s guests start arriving at the party thirty minutes in, by then music is already blasting and people are getting drunk. Yixing just leans against the wall with Song Qian (until she spots something she likes and scurries away to follow them), trying to figure out if people like his cookies by their facial expressions when they take the first bite. Everyone seems delighted, except for one man wearing a bright purple t-shirt and brown shorts. That one frowns and throws the precious star away. Makes Yixing want to force it down his throat.
“You look displeased for someone so cute in a party with cake and balloons.”
Yixing blinks out of his deviations and turns his head. Next to him is a smiling man at least half a head taller, brown hair styled away from his forehead and nice eyes. Yixing doesn’t know him nor remember seeing his face before.
He smiles, casting his eyes away because the way the man looks at him makes warmness creep up his neck. He reaches up for his ears before looking up. The man is still smiling, as if Yixing’s reaction to his approach is amusing.
“Cute people need to look pleased in a party with cake and balloons?” Yixing tries. The man beams wider, which is surprisingly possible. It’s a wonder that his mouth can stretch any further.
“So you agree that you’re cute.” Smiley Man crosses his arms on his chest and Yixing flushes redder. He feels trapped.
“You’re the one that said it first.” he retorts.
“Yeah, I think you’re cute.” the other says matter-of-factly. “Do you agree with me?”
Somehow this doesn’t sound like a yes or no question. Yixing snorts, meeting Smiley Man’s eyes and, for the first time since their weird conversation kicked off, he doesn’t look away.
The man, noticing Yixing wouldn’t answer his question, stretches a hand. “I’m Chanyeol.”
“Yixing.” he shakes the hand and Smiley Man -- now Chanyeol --, widens his eyes (also surprisingly possible).
“You made the cake and the glittery cookies?” asks in curiosity.
“I did. Zitao insisted that glitter was involved, even if it doesn’t match his panda costume or the cake.”
Chanyeol laughs, the sound makes Yixing wonder if that’s how he usually laughs or if he went a little overboard. “That’s Zitao right there.” he heaves a sigh. “Say, Yixing, do you want a drink? Or a cookie?” It’s been a while since it last happened that way, but Yixing thinks Chanyeol is flirting with him. He feels utterly unprepared for this kind of situation, should he lead Chanyeol on? Should he tell Chanyeol he’s not up for a drink and suggest that he gets lost? Clearing his throat, Yixing nods. Chanyeol smiles, “Drink or a cookie?”
“Cookie.”
Chanyeol gives him a thumbs up. “I’ll be right back.”
As soon as he parts, Yixing fishes for his phone in his pocket, fingers skating across the screen in a rush to send Song Qian an SOS message. Even before he has the message sent, someone touches his shoulder. He closes his eyes in despair. Is Chanyeol back already? However, it’s not Chanyeol’s overly enthusiastic face that greets him once he turns around. It’s Yifan, eyebrows menacingly furrowed. That is an odd face for someone in a party with cake and balloons.
“You ok?” Yixing asks and Yifan huffs looking vexed and annoyed.
“Sure,” he answers, but something about his tone is not right. When Yixing narrows his eyes, Yifan looks away. “Are you here alone?”
“Nope. I met someone named Chanyeol? He went for some cookies.”
“Yifan!” Chanyeol exclaims, cookies in both hands. He hands one over and Yixing notices he’s got glitter all over his fingers. Song Qian must have sprinkled them over the already glued ones and the loose grains are falling all over people’s fingers. He wrinkles his nose in distaste. “Nice to see you, man.”
“Chanyeol,” Yifan says. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”
“I am!” Chanyeol looks down at Yixing. “Your cookies got me all sparkly.”
“I’m sorry.” he bites on his lower lip and winces at Chanyeol apologetically, but the taller man laughs delightedly.
“It’s fine, Yixing.”
Yifan clears his throat. “Luhan was looking for you,” he touches Yixing’s forearm. “Wanted to say hi or something.”
Strange stuff, since Luhan never looks too happy in seeing him. He frowns. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Do you wanna go find him?”
“Now?” Chanyeol cuts in. “But I got you a cookie.”
Suddenly, they’re both staring down at Yixing with these really expectant eyes and anxious faces and Yixing is at loss for words. That’s when Song Qian arrives, arms linked with another man Yixing’s never seen before. He rushes to her side.
“Hey,” she says. “This is Joonmyun. He works for the Paper Company, can you believe this?”
Yixing looks at the man, slightly shorter than him and definitely shorter than Song Qian. Joonmyun, on the other hand, doesn’t seem fazed by his height, smiles at Yixing and nods at both Yifan and Chanyeol.
“Yifan.” he greets.
“Joonmyun.” the other answers. “It’s been a while.”
Song Qian gasps. “You know Mr. Handsome?” Joonmyun frowns and Yifan rolls his eyes at the nickname. “I mean Yifan.”
“Oh, yeah.” he smiles. Yixing notices he’s got perfect teeth and a nice forehead. “I’m Zitao’s neighbor, sometimes we go out for drinks.”
“So you work in the company? Why haven’t we seen you before?” Yixing questions, but instead of getting an answer from Joonmyun, Song Qian replies excitedly.
“He’s from the seventh floor.”
“Oh,” he says. “Human resources.”
Song Qian hums, “He’s the head of HR.”
Everything makes sense now -- why Song Qian is attached to Joonmyun and why they never see him in the company. No one ever sees heads of sectors, they’re always too busy to walk amongst commoners. Which might mean Joonmyun has money. Which leads him back to the reason why Song Qian is attached to him.
“Excuse us?” Yifan, who had been watching from aside, pulls Yixing unceremoniously. “We need to go find Luhan.”
“But--”
“Wait a second!” he hears Chanyeol yell, but it’s too late and Yifan has already dragged him out of the rooftop and into the staircase. He climbs them down until they reach the elevator level. Yixing just watches him curiously.
“Where are we going?” he questions as Yifan presses the elevator button repeatedly. If Yixing didn’t know better, he would seriously consider a horde of zombies on their tail to justify Yifan’s haste in leaving the rooftop.
“Luhan’s apartment.”
“Why? The party is happening up here.”
Yifan sighs, running both hands though his ponytail hair, which causes it to come loose from the tie and forces him to redo it. Yixing’s never seen such an expression on Yifan’s face. Concerned, but not thoughtful. He’s clearly unhappy about something.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing Yixing,” his voice sounds tired. “There’s nothing wrong.”
The elevator arrives and they step inside. No one says a word during the whole ride to Luhan’s floor. The door is open, Yifan pushes it easily and holds it for Yixing to come inside. Luhan’s apartment is colorful, all sorts of funny decorations, which doesn’t match the idea Yixing has of Yifan’s friend at all.
He takes his time inspecting Luhan’s place and all the film noir pictures he’s got framed. Posters of classics hang all around.
“Yixing,” Yifan’s voice snaps him out of his decoration-induced reverie. “Come here.”
The other is sitting on the turquoise couch, already removing the yellow cushions and making room for Yixing to sit next to him. Yixing feels too conscious of the atmosphere once he sits and Yifan scoots a little bit closer, arm brushing his. They’re so close that Yixing’s stomach flutters in anticipation. They’ve been close before, so much closer, but it’s only the two of them in the apartment, not even the music from the party is heard, and there's something different about the way Yifan looks down at him, like he’s choosing the right words to say something important.
Yixing feels uneasy. “Did you want to say something?”
Yifan nods once, inhaling and taking Yixing’s hand in his. Yixing’s heart skips a beat as Yifan plays with his hand, touches his nails and thumbs the spaces between his fingers.
“I’m sorry I dragged you down here,” he chuckles. It sounds different, almost embarrassed. “Chanyeol was all over you and I was starting to get pissed.”
Yixing bites back a smile, although he’s pretty sure Yifan can see the amusement in his face. “Are you jealous?” The hands Yifan use to rub his face aren’t enough to mask his flushed cheeks. Yixing giggles, pulling the hands down. Now Yifan just looks pained. “Are you?”
He shifts, face suddenly alert. “It’s like… The birds.” Yifan starts. “And the sun and the air… The air has these tiny… particles thingies that are just…” he laughs nervously. “Unavoidable.”
What, is the only think Yixing can get from all the gibberish. Yifan can probably see it in his face, the confusion.
“What I mean is that… All these things… They’re gonna touch you. And there’s nothing I can do about it.” he explains, fast breathing and searching eyes. “But Chanyeol... That, I can stop.” Yixing stills, looking for Yifan’s eyes, but they’re focused on another part of his face. His mouth. He bites on his lower lip and Yifan inhales, finally looking up.
“What are you saying?”
“That I hate when people touch you, or get closer to you. I might have just realized that, but I hate it.” He exales, as if he’s unloading a burden that’s been bothering him for a long time. Yixing feels fuzzy, and the thumps of his heart reverberate through his entire body. It’s not like it’s a surprise to hear all that from Yifan, he’s been aware of feelings for a while. Especially his own. Yixing’s been thinking about that night they slept together, about Yifan’s arms around him and his breathing on Yixing’s neck. He’s been thinking about what they both said and wondering if he would know when time is finally right. Turns out he does know.
“I like you,” Yifan says, sounds like he’s declaring defeat. Maybe he is. “I feel so stupid, because we know each other for three months and there hasn’t been a single day in which I don’t think about you.
“That first day when you left the studio, I seriously considered asking my receptionist if you had left any information, a phone number, an e-mail address… Anything I could use to contact you. Then I found you at the convenience store and thought wow, it must really be destiny.” he lowers his eyes and chuckles to himself. “Silly. I’m not that kind of guy, Yixing. To call it destiny and stuff, but there’s something about you… I don’t know. You bewitched me.”
He gets it now. The gibberish about the sun and the birds. Yixing holds Yifan’s gaze because there’s nowhere else he’d rather look, and ever so slowly, his fingers find their way down Yifan’s leg. He slides just a bit closer, not daring to look away from the parted mouth and half-lidded eyes Yifan watches him intently with, letting Yixing approach on his own accord. The hand on his leg snakes up, drags all the way to Yifan’s face and he lets out a shuddered breath, blinking slowly as Yixing settles himself so attached to Yifan’s side that the latter shifts, drapes his arm around Yixing’s shoulder.
He wishes he could find the exact same words Yifan had said, Yixing really wishes he could bring himself to say it back. It’s not that he doesn’t feel the same way. He does. Just doesn’t know how to put it. Instead, Yixing lifts his face and touches Yifan’s lips with his. It’s just a dry press of lips at first, Yixing moving his hand so his arm is circling Yifan’s neck. The way he gets himself nearly on top of Yifan causes the other to move, place his hands on Yixing’s hips. Yifan opens his mouth, moves his lips to catch Yixing’s lower one between his as he brings them closer.
They just kiss for a while, hands moving from necks to waists and shoulders, tongues tasting and laving. Kissing Yifan turns out to be quite relaxing, not as nerve-racking and urgent as he thought it would be. It’s easy, swift as the coursing river.
He whines and tries to pull him back when Yifan pushes them apart, having both his wrists caught in a hold. “But with all the force of a great typhoon, right?”
Yixing frowns. Didn’t even realize he’d said that out loud. “Whatever you want, just keep kissing me.”
“You’re the one who said it--”
They don’t leave Luhan’s apartment until Song Qian calls saying that Zitao is pissed because Yifan missed the happy birthday, so they move upstairs in a hurry. Zitao jumps Yifan and gives him an earful for missing his moment to shine, and says that he’s not working on monday so Yifan can compensate him by double shifting. Chanyeol finds Yixing moments after Zitao drags Yifan somewhere in a chokehold and asks if he’d intruded on something.
“I didn’t know you two were a thing.” he says apologetically.
Yixing smiles and Chanyeol nods, mouth pressed in a thin line. Now that he’s not feeling the pressure of being courted, he notices how big are Chanyeol’s ears. It’s kind of endearing, actually. Makes him sigh.
“So. Maybe we can talk some time. As friends?” he suggests.
“Sounds awesome,” Yixing answers, and he really means it.
✦
There is no time left for anything other than work and baking. He bakes when he wakes up, he bakes before going to bed, he even bakes at other people’s places (Soojung charged him in a batch of Red Velvets for messing up her kitchen). He doesn’t even sense it take over his life. Yixing just sees himself getting swamped by demands and orders. More and more people he doesn’t remember giving his phone number to, start calling him at ungodly hours (especially when he’s in a middle of a call with a rabid customer that’s for sure not interested in changing his paper brand). It’s a mystery how that many people get to know about his services, and he’s starting to suspect that his friends have a huge share in it.
He spends his working hours eager to get home and try the new recipies he’s been gathering. Zitao’s birthday was a good experience in the cookies field; Yixing is trying new sugar-based icings and he uses these on the cookies he’s bringing his mother and grandparents on his holiday trip. He ponders packing some more cookies, considering he’s in for three days of his family and they’ve all been hearing so much about his baking goods that Yixing feels mean for not bringing many.
Song Qian agrees taking care of Peter Parker while he’s away, although he’s kind of afraid she’d usurp his title as the cat’s human. Yifan also offered to look after his pet, but Yixing feared the interactions between Peter Parker and Yifan’s hamster, Toy. He didn’t want his kitten to become a murderer just yet.
Yifan, on the other hand, didn’t seem very pleased with Yixing going away for that long. The tattoo artist kept texting throughout his Saturday afternoon while he packed, lamenting the fact that he had to work on Yixing’s ‘last day in Seoul’.
It’s just three days, don’t be dramatic. he texts back, fighting the urge to grin because Yifan is so obvious. It even looks like you’d truly miss me.
The other sends him a glaring selca, furrowed eyebrows and fierce eyes that only manages to send Yixing into a laughing fit.
On Sunday, Yifan drives him to the airport early in the morning. Keeps reminding him that he had to give Sehun a free tattoo ticket to borrow the car again, and he only manages to do so because the younger one is a big couch potato. Yifan mentions Luhan is planning a holiday gathering, and that maybe he’ll crash at Zitao’s because he’s always so hammered at Luhan’s parties that the way home is like finding a trap door to Narnia. Although Yifan’s task is simply driving Yixing to the airport, he hangs until the last call to board the plane, and Yixing rewards him with a nice box of assorted cupcakes. Yixing can see it in Yifan’s eyes that he wants to lean forward when they say their goodbyes; he can catch a glint that lights up Yifan’s eyes every time they face each other. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that Yifan’s eyes smile when he looks at Yixing, and he would gladly lean forward himself, but he doesn’t have a clue at where they stand, he doesn’t know if kissing Yifan would be invading his space or maybe jumping to conclusions.
The thing is that they never talked about the kiss at Zitao’s party, they didn’t have an opportunity to do so. Zitao’s party was on Friday, and Yixing spent the whole Saturday holed up in his apartment baking and packing. It’s not like the subject never came to mind -- he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and the text Yifan sent him at 6AM is an indication that the other couldn’t stop thinking about it either. However, no one brought it up and the Saturday went by with Yifan agreeing to drive him to the airport and Yixing baking an extra batch of cupcakes.
After a 3 hour and 25 minutes flight, the first thing Yixing does when he lands in Changsha is text Yifan. I’m home :). He rips the ICN-CSX ticket from his luggage and throws it in a wastebasket on his way to grab a cab. Yifan’s answer only comes when he’s halfway to his mother’s house. have fun.
A second one comes a few minutes later.
i’ll miss you :<
✦
“BABA DON’T FEED THE DOG COOKIES! THESE ARE FOR US, HUMANS!”
His mother screams from the living room. She probably spots grandpa giving Ruki stuff to eat again. Yixing smiles, plopping the bundle of dry clothes his mother asked him to fold on the couch. He takes a seat on the floor and starts folding the pants in a uniform pile. Yixing’s pretty good at folding clothes, he should fold his own back home instead of leaving it all in a messy huddle all around.
He’s almost done with the pants when his mother approaches, “Do you want Hotpot for dinner?”
Yixing arches his eyebrows. “Are you cooking?”
His mother shakes her head, “Your grandmother is.”
He sighs in relief. His mother can’t cook Hotpot to save her life. “Then it’s fine.” he smiles when she squints before sitting down to help him with the clothes. She uses the same method he does (of course she does, it’s her method) to pile up the folded ones, and too soon they’re finished.
“Thanks for helping,” Yixing says. “I’m actually really lazy to fold clothes.”
She gives him a look. “Well I didn’t teach you that,” and sighs. “Mei Ling’s son may be a perpetrator, but he never complains about folding clothes.”
“What a big fat lie,” Yixing scoffs and elbows her side. “I’m not complaining.”
“It’s fine, I’m used to it.” pinching his nose, she wraps her thin arms around him, humming in contentment. “I’m so happy. I missed my son.”
Yixing smiles, returning the hug. “I missed you too, mama.”
“Your grandpa gave the dog all the cookies,” she retorts. “Do you feel like baking some more? Maybe one of those beautiful cupcakes you send me pictures.”
“Oh yeah. I can bake some cupcakes. Do you have piping tips?” he perks up.
“Of course I do!”
They move to the kitchen and his mother helps him in separating the ingredients. She watches him closely, ready to throw in a remark if he messes up, which Yixing thinks it’s kinda funny, because ever since his grandmother taught him how to bake, he’s been better than his mother and still she lectures. He opts for simple chocolate cakes with buttercream icing. He finds a jar of strawberry jam in the fridge and uses it as filling. Yixing warns his grandfather not to feed Ruki his cupcakes.
“I’m not feeding him anything!” his grandpa defends himself.
“I know you told him to eat my flowers!” Yixing’s grandma complains, her lips a complete mess of buttercream and chocolate crumbs. He chuckles, sitting back by the table and watching them diss each other like a couple of teenagers, only halting when his grandma decides she’s got better stuff to do, like cooking dinner.
When his mother sits next to him to devour what seems to be the third cupcake, Yixing takes the chance to ask her about the institution he sent money.
She nods, “It’s going well. I didn’t buy food with the money you sent, I bought them clothes.” she explains. “They loved it, some were really in need of new clothes. Thank you, angel.”
Yixing relaxes against the chair, feeling an odd sense of joy filling him. “That’s good mama, thanks for helping.”
“Speaking of which,” she licks the last of cupcake icing. “How is your list thing going? Are you done yet?”
“Not yet.” he blinks, thinking back to his list and all he’s done so far. He’s so close to the finishing line, and the thought of what comes next never even crossed his mind. What happens once he’s done?
“Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish?” His mother watches him intently, half eaten cupcake forgotten.
Yixing started the list with the intent of moving out of the stale life he was trapped into -- going to work, coming back home, sleeping only to wake up and start everything over, maybe meeting with friends to chat and have a drink. His friends always had something interesting to say -- a promotion, a new boyfriend, a new girlfriend, an awesome recently found record store, sometimes a recipe that turned out to be just what they were looking for. Yixing never had stuff to say besides complaints about work and his rude bosses unhappy about his screwed up monthly numbers.
Something’s changed ever since the list. No. Everything changed. He doesn’t come home to an empty, lifeless lodging at the end of his days. He doesn’t sit in front of his xbox sadly trying to unlock more missions on Dead Rising 3. When meeting with his friends, there is always something to talk and discuss, even if his life is always put in perspective. For once, people look at him and see something interesting. He looks at himself and sees something interesting. Yixing is that dude with the orange hair that bakes awesome stuff and hangs up the phone on angry customers. Yixing is the dude with a cat named Peter Parker (of all names) and the beginnings of a baking business that only him can’t see as an actual business.
So he looks at his mother and answers with a smile.
“Yes, mama. I did.” he blinks, twirling the fork he was using to eat his cupcake in his fingers. “There’s one more thing I should do, though.”
She frowns, “What would that be?”
7.1. Quit my job
He quits on Wednesday first thing in the day when his co-workers (ex co-workers) are still getting their work spaces ready for another shift.
The holiday in Changsha was great -- it added up to the wave of great things that’s been coming into Yixing’s life. Sunday was a home day, baking for his family, eating his grandmother’s hotpot, watching late night game shows. Monday was a neighborhood day, Yixing visited all his old friends. He was somewhat surprised at seeing that half of them were already married with kids. On Tuesday his mother took him to the children centre he sent the money for. The place doesn’t have the best facilities and installments, but it’s comfortable, the kids look happy. His mom names all of them, whispering to the kids that Yixing was the nice man who bought them all those clothes. He was thanked by being jumped and dragged all the way to bedrooms to be introduced to teddy bears and puppies. He thinks that maybe Tuesday was the best day.
It’s only when he’s on the cab back to the airport that he checks his phone, the device completely forgotten in his suitcase. There are about twenty text messages. Five from Song Qian with pictures of Peter Parker and the most useless information about the cat. Two are from Jongdae, talking about ‘Yixing’s cake business’ and how he should think about losing the ‘Yixing’ and naming it ‘Cake Business’. He likes it. Three are from his phone company about roaming service and his data limits. All the other ones are from Yifan.
did you get there yet?
met your friend baekhyun at the grocery shop today.
finished all your cupcakes in fifteen minutes. you should come back right away to gimme some more
morning :)
did you lose your phone?
yixing??? D:
ok, i’m not gonna bother anymore
morning, are you there?
zitao is whining about sehun and how he’s constantly ignored. please save me.
Yixing snorts and types an answer. Geez, you love me that much?
The answer comes less than a minute later. YIXING. YOU ARE ALIVE.
Of course I’m alive, he bites back a smile. Couldn’t stand being apart from me, right?
sure. want me to pick you up at the airport? Yixing can almost picture Yifan blushing and averting his eyes, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. He can’t stop the grin that takes over his face.
You’ll die if you don’t.
mock me all you want, it’s not gonna make me miss you any less.
His face will break if he smiles any wider. You’ll have to give Sehun another tattoo ticket.
no, i’ll take a cab. i know you could do that by yourself, but i wanna see you.
It’s a 3 hour and 25 minutes flight back to Seoul. He can make it.
Yifan is waiting for him at the arrival gate, and it feels like Yixing is catching glance of him for the first time. He’s wearing a blue t-shirt, his hair in a half ponytail. He looks so handsome Yixing could cry tears of joy over the fact that it’s him Yifan is waiting for. As soon as he steps closer, Yifan’s hand reaches for Yixing’s hair, sweeping his too-long fringe away from his forehead.
“Your hair is longer,” Yifan says, hand falling to Yixing’s nape.
“Hello you,” Yixing tilts his face up and grins, hoping that he looks cute and his dimple appears. “I’ve been out for three days, that’s not enough time for my hair to grow longer.”
Yifan frowns in surprise. “Three days? Wow. Felt like a month.” he says, making a grab for Yixing’s suitcase and pulling it to his side before sliding the hand on Yixing’s neck down his arm and straight to his hand.
Just like it’s no big deal, Yifan laces their hands together, eyes locked on their entwined fingers. Something flutters in Yixing’s stomach and his ears tickle. He would like to scratch, but Yifan’s hand feels awesome in his, and maybe this is a milestone that he wouldn’t want to ruin.
In the cab, Yifan can’t seem to be able to keep his hands off Yixing. Caressing his neck, running his fingers through his hair, touching his knees, his fingers, poking his nose. It’s so much Yixing feels like he might combust any time. The way his eyes explore Yixing’s face, as if there’s something there he still ought to see, something hidden. There’s nothing actually, but Yixing loves having Yifan’s attention, so he scoots a bit closer and places a hand on Yifan’s leg. He gets an arm around his shoulder in exchange.
It’s when they’re in the elevator of Song Qian’s apartment building to pick Peter Parker up that Yifan turns to him, eyes a little glassy and lips parted like he’s not paying attention to himself and his facial features. He looks at Yixing as if nothing else could catch his focus.
“Shit,” he exhales. “I’m so into you.”
Yixing can look away; he can snort and wave it aside, but he feels pinned by Yifan’s eyes. Locked in place by something, a strong feeling that travels from Yifan to him. He lightly touches the fabric of Yifan’s blue t-shirt, pinches it before balling his hands in the collar and pulling him down. He stops when their noses bump, Yifan’s breathing warming up his face. Yifan’s circles an arm around his waist and kills the distance between them.
This is different than before. The way Yifan’s mouth closes around his lips is hungry, hurried, as if Yixing will escape if he doesn’t claim him. Calm down, he wants to say. I’m yours if you ask me.
The hand that was pulling Yixing’s suitcase comes to press on his jaw, thumb soothing on his chin and bottom lip once they part. He lets out a shuddered breath because it’s not enough, he didn’t get enough of Yifan, but the elevator is announcing that they’ve arrived at their destination. The taller steps back, pulling Yixing’s suitcase out of the cubicle.
Song Qian answers the door looking like a hobo, her always-perfect hair tied in a messy bun at the top of her head, and the pajamas she’s wearing are at least three years old.
“I love him,” she cries as soon as Yixing and Yifan step inside, mumbling a weak hi mr. handsome.
Yixing frowns severely. “Well, you can’t have him. He’s my cat.” he crouches in front of his russian blue elegantly sitting next to Song Qian’s dresser, and Peter Parker meows. “Hey dude.”
“I’m not talking about your stupid cat, you can take this little monster. He ruined my cushions,” she says, pushing the door closed and falling limply on her bright purple armchair. “I’m talking about Joonmyun.”
“Wait. Kim Joonmyun?” Yifan cuts in. “Zitao’s neighbor?”
Song Qian sighs sadly. “Yes. We went on a date yesterday and it was wonderful, but he’s not replying to my texts.”
Yixing picks Peter Parker up and walks back into the conversation. “Does Baekhyun know you’re going on dates?”
“I don’t care about Baekhyun,” she rolls her eyes. “Joonmyun is everything I need. He’s handsome and polite and well-educated and rich.”
“He’s shorter than you.” Yifan says.
“And Yixing is ugly, yet you have hearts in your eyes every time you look at him.” she shrugs. “Go figure.”
Yifan chuckles, lowering his head. Looks much like he’s surrendering to her comment, agreeing. Yixing smiles.
“Today is Baekhyun’s birthday, did you send him a message?” he asks. Song Qian squints at him, them promptly rolls her eyes.
“I’ll do that,” so she forgot. He must be thrilled, Yixing thinks. “But Joonmyun,” she whines.
“Well, maybe he’s just busy? Didn’t you say he works at the company? Perhaps you can talk to him tomorrow.” Yixing suggests, fighting Peter Parker’s claws.
“You’re right.” she says. “I can track him down at the company tomorrow.”
“Speaking of which, I’m quitting tomorrow.” Yixing breaks it. Both Yifan and Song Qian turn to look at him in disbelief.
“What?” they say in unison.
He sighs. “I think it’s time. You know I’ve never felt connected to that job, and now I have something I like doing and that can provide me of some good money.”
“Took you long enough,” Song Qian says. “Congratulations. Do you still have orders coming?”
“Not yet, but I’ll ask Jongdae to make me some more business cards.”
“I’ve been following some bakers on instagram, and they all advertise their work on social networks, it’s easy and free. It spreads quickly, Yixing, you could totally do that.” she says.
“You can put some cupcakes for sale at the studio,” Yifan says. “There’s plenty space on my register counter for a tray.”
That’s a great idea, actually. Yixing blinks at him, “Would you do that?”
“Of course,” Yifan answers promptly. “You’re a great baker, it would be a bonus to the studio. People would go there for your cupcakes.”
Song Qian widens her eyes and gasps, standing up from the armchair. “You could make tattoo inspired cupcakes!”
Yixing hugs Peter Parker tighter and the cat meows in annoyance. “I could use your art as an inspiration!” he tells Yifan.
“That’s an amazing idea.” he looks at Song Qian, who just bows extravagantly before tossing imaginary hair. She probably forgot it’s tied up.
“Now that I solved your problems,” she says. “Show yourself out, I have stuff to do.”
7.2. Switch jobs
His boss doesn’t look too surprised when Yixing hands his resignation letter the next morning, he just wishes him good luck and collects his ID card. He hugs his favorite co-workers goodbye and tells them they can always call him whenever they need a cake.
Jongdae is waiting for him in the lobby when Yixing steps out of the elevator carrying a box with the things he had in his cubicle.
“Hey!” Jongdae chirps. “How are you feeling, unemployed?”
Yixing snorts, walking right past Jongdae and out of the building. He hears Jongdae’s sneakers on the linoleum, following him.
“I’m your ride!” Jongdae barks and Yixing stops when he reaches the car. “But seriously, how do you feel?”
He sighs, looking up at the sky. It’s a pretty blue, almost no clouds, the few ones a cotton white and it’s incredibly nice. Great, great day.
“I feel awesome,” he answers, looking down at his friend. “Awesome, Jongdae.”
Jongdae smiles, which makes Yixing smile wider, because Jongdae’s smile has this kind of effect on people. “Let’s go then. I have great ideas for your business card.”
They find a nice, quiet cafe to talk, and Jongdae lays three models of business cards in front of him.
“So, I was thinking that instead of Yixing’s cake business, we could call it Cake Business. It’s fancier, don’t you think?” he suggests. Yixing nods. Looking over the stuff Jongdae brought, Yixing thinks he likes the plain white with colorful letters one better.
“I want this one.” he says promptly. Jongdae’s face falls.
“But you didn’t even look at the others.”
“I did, and I like this one better. Done.” Yixing stretches his lips. Jongdae clucks his tongue.
“I put a lot of thought into this. Are you in a hurry?”
“I’m thinking about this stuff Song Qian suggested yesterday,” he answers. “About advertising through social network. I could have an instagram profile. Upload pictures of my stuff there.”
Jongdae narrows his eyes, “The url would go on your business card. That’s great.”
He nods, “And Yifan told me I can sell cupcakes on his studio as well. Maybe we can put his address? If he’s fine with it?”
In a split second, Jongdae’s face shifts from thoughtful to mischievous. He chuckles. “Oh. Yifan.” Yixing rolls his eyes. “Did you guys make out just yet?”
Weird that word didn’t get around just yet. Maybe Song Qian was too preoccupied with Kim Joonmyun to gossip away. Now he’s the one who’s supposed to break it to Jongdae.
Clearing his throat, Yixing says “Yes,”
His friend is clearly taken aback. “What?”
“We kissed,” he clarifies. “At Zitao’s party on Friday and yesterday when I got home.”
Jongdae whistles. “Wow. Finally? You’ve been tiptoeing around each other for months. Are you dating?”
“I don’t know. We kissed, that’s it. I guess nothing is decided yet, but,” he sighs, fidgeting with the prototypes. “He’s cool. Really cool. And so handsome. I think I’m stopping by the studio after this.”
There’s silence for a while, so he just assumes Jongdae is busy with his phone (Soojung acts up at the most untimely moments), but when he lifts his eyes from the cards, Jongdae is watching him with one of those silly, pretty smiles of his. Yixing narrows his eyes.
“What?”
“You like him.”
“... That’s an understatement, Jongdae.”
Jongdae shakes his head, chuckling. “I know! But it’s nice to see you like this. It’s been a while, and it’s like… I don’t know if it’s Yifan or everything you worked out, but you’re different. Lighter.”
“How was I before? Heavier?” Yixing laughs, leaning back against the chair. Jongdae shrugs.
“Maybe. You seemed troubled when you came to my place a few months ago. Walked on circles, got dirt all over my rug.” he scratches his nose. “I can tell that you feel lighter as well.”
“I think it’s funny that you noticed that.”
“Of course I notice, I’m your friend!” Jongdae leans across the table to smack Yixing on the arm. He just smiles, massaging the hit spot as Jongdae collects his things from the table. Yixing gives his chosen card a last glance and inhales. He liked the path this is all taking, he likes sitting with Jongdae to discuss possibilities for something new and exciting, he likes that he’s the one behind it, he loves that this is all him. And his helpful friends, of course.
“Hey, Jongdae,” Yixing says. “I wanna do this.”
Jongdae frowns, “This what?”
“This. Cake Business. I know you’re doing my business cards to help me because you’re an awesome friend,” Jongdae beams at that. “but I wanna hire you as my designer. I want you helping me with photo menus and my brand and everything. Would you let me hire you?”
“Of course,” the other nods. “I’d be happy to help you, mate. Aaaand I’ll give you a special price.”
Yixing snorts, “I’d murder you if you didn’t.”
{item n. 8}